Product Description
THIS 8 PAGE ARTICLE WAS EXTRACTED FROM THE BOOK: This Mystical Life of Ours, by Ralph Waldo Trine. To purchase the entire book, please order ISBN 0766127486. ... Read more

Product Description
Natural Dog Training is about how dogs see the world and what this means in regards to training. The first part of this book presents a new theory for the social behavior of canines, featuring the drive to hunt, not the pack instincts, as seminal to canine behavior. The second part reinterprets how dogs actually learn. The third section presents exercises and handling techniques to put this theory into practice with a puppy. The final section sets forth a training program with a special emphasis on coming when called. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (22)

Natural Dog Trainer is not a natural author
This has some very interesting information in it and Mr Behan has much to offer, but you will have to be patient.The writing is excruciating. Not sure why he republished this, since he claims a more reader friendly book will follow. If you like a challenge and are patient, you will get some helpful insight here. Not recommended for beginner trainers. My advice is to wait for this author's next offering.

Get a different book on natural dog training
Don't buy this book unless you already have trained your dog, you understand what natural dog training is and you just want to read the original manifesto on "natural dog training". This is not a training guide, and it is not really a great introduction to natural dog training either. The author himself says in the introduction that he intends to "write a new training book that will be explained in my new way of talking about behavior". If that partial sentence makes no sense then the author also apologizes to the "many readers who have struggled with my prose"

You can find enough information on this theory, search for "natural dog training" on google. There is more information and great articles to get you started, including material by the author, Kevin Behan. But this book is not very helpful to a new dog owner.

Admiration
I admire all the reviewers who read this book.I gave up around page 80.I was constantly wondering, "Where is he going with this?Is there a point?Are these sentences related somehow?"The title of the first chapter is "What Is The Problem?" I think his answer is confusion.It's hard to say.

I devour non-fiction.Can't get enough.Every night I think I'll give Natural Dog Training another try, but I just can't do it. One paragraph, and I'm done.

Two stars for the binding and typeface.

Glean good information
This book has a different perspective about dog training, one that is NOT generally in conflict with positive training and I am finding it valuable to glean from. Reading through would be quite a challenge (one I don't intend to tackle) as it is poorly written, edited, and formatted. That has been commented on many times; the current version is apparently no better than the first (I have the 2nd) but Kevin has ideas worth reading and utilizing. Every dog is different and some may need a truly personalized approach, combining several training methods. Kevin's are well worth knowing. Also check out Neil Sattin's site, [...] The Best Long Dog Leash for Training and Play - 50 Feet Long, 1 Inch Nylon, Visible, Durable, Strong, and Made in the USA

Kevin Behan has a gift...
...However, this book must be carefully read and pondered in order to 'get' his pearls of wisdom. My copy is full of underlined and highlighted passages which I have read over and over. I believe K. B. is a true advocate for dogs and has a great deal to offer all of us who have dogs in our lives. Even though there is no perfect dog trainer/behaviorist, and one would do well to study others' philosophies and techniques, he is at the top of his profession and in a class by himself. That said, I have to wonder where his editor was before this book got to print. It really is irritating to sift through so many misspelled words, poor punctuation, run-on sentences, and the like. Also, I wonder if Mr. Behan could have benefited from someone's help in the task of getting his wonderful ideas translated into printed words with a more concise organization to them. I have wished that the book included an index and/or boxes in the page margins with key points outlined. I hope I haven't put off anyone from getting this book because the information in it is just exceptional. ... Read more

Product Description
Be A Dog's Best Friend is written in the voice of Ema, a ten-year-old with a wealth of information about how to safely interact with dogs. Ema takes her readers on a tour of all of the dogs in her life, offering tips along the way of how to best approach new dogs, play with familiar dogs, and steer clear of dogs unknown to her. Be A Dog's Best Friend features clear illustrations of dogs demonstrating inviting and uninviting body language, as well as demonstrations of do's and don'ts.The language used is geared toward children ages six to ten years of age. For children younger than six, adults can use the text and pictures to begin a dialogue. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

Mom Finds Kids Empowered by Info from Be A Dog's Best Friend
We can't keep our kids safe 24/7 unless we never leave their side.That's why I prefer to educate my kids as much as possible about all kinds of danger and how to keep themselves safe in case I am not nearby.

Be a Dog's Best Friend first drew me in by its adorable cover but also by the subject manner and the fact that they chose a dog for the cover that isn't a tiny little frou frou puppy.

I read the kids with my book and found that the information was 100% useful and easy for them to understand.It broke things down into manageable parts about how to interact and care for a dog. Its bite-sized chapters also allowed me to have conversations with them in between all while holding their attention and interest.

I felt compelled to share the book's name with our pediatrician after learning about the percentage of kids who are treated for dog bites etc.

I hope by spreading the word about this simple but powerful book, it will prevent other kids from misunderstanding a dog's body language and what is and is not appropriate for them to do with a dog (even if it's the best-trained dog in the world).

It's a quick read, it's fun, the illustrations are adorable and I feel it's a must-have whether you have a dog or if there is ever a chance that your child may be at a friend's house that has dogs as pets.K

LOVED!

Too often overlooked.
We train our dogs and pet-proof our homes, but beyond 'don't touch that strange dog' and 'hold out your hand so he can smell it', often we don't constructively think about how our kids (and ourselves) will interact with our canine friends.
Be A Dog's Best Friend: A Safety Guide for Kids is a fun, informative and lovely guide to the ins and outs of safely dealing with dogs.
I wish I had this book when I first got my dog.

Great practical knowledge...
presented in an easy to understand format.I bought this for a friend's 6-yr old son, when his mother was thinking of adopting a new dog.Mom is not a "dog person" and was basically clueless about how to read a dog. The little boy loves dogs and thinks they are all super friendly and approachable at all times.This book helped him to understand that just like people, sometimes dogs need their space.Would recommend to anyone with small kids.

from a mother & dog owner
This is a fantastic introduction to dog's behavior for kids - and, honestly, I think most adults would learn a great deal from Payne and Gladysz as well.The illustrations and language are fun but very instructive.It should pretty much come with every new dog or pup :)

A must read for parents and their children
If you want to keep your kid safe around dogs
buy this book.It is clearly writtenso kids
can relate and has great illustrations to demonstrate how your child should interact
with your dog or someone else's.I highly
reccomend reading this guide before taking
your kids to the dog run.

... Read more

Product Description
Herding Dogs: Progressive Training is the only book of its kind to guide the owner toward training the complete herding dog. Whether you are involved in farming or ranching, or simply want to explore your herding dog's heritage, you will find a wealth of information here. For those with competitive goals, Herding Dogs will enhance your knowledge with a philosophy that has the dog's individual breed and personality as the central focus.

Vergil S. Holland teaches the handler to understand the dog's reactions before beginning this progressive training. Whether it is your dog's first exposure to stock or your older dog with a new problem, you, as a handler, will find solutions to each problem and sound advice on each phase of training.

Special chapters on different personalities of the various herding breeds, with training modifications tailored to these differences, make it possible for you and your dog as a team to reach your maximum potential.

Herding commands and terms are thoroughly covered, as are those of basic Obedience for the stock dog. Working various kinds of stock-sheep, cattle and ducks-is covered to meet the needs of every stock dog owner. Detailed diagrams and concept maps throughout the book highlight the individualized training methods for each type of dog and stock.
A Howell Dog Book of Distinction ... Read more

Customer Reviews (19)

Helpful Insights
As a newcomer to training my dog to herd goats and sheep, I learned a great deal from reading "Herding Dog,"and I imagine I will go back to it again and again.

Satisfied my curiosity
I have two (mostly herding dog) mixed breed dogs. We live in the city but I grew up on a farm. I read this book mostly out of curiosity. Though this is probably more than most people reading merely out of curiosity would want, it gave me a good taste of what's involved to train a herding dog. This is a skill that is obviously developed in the doing, not just in the reading. I especially appreciated the author's knowledge of dog behavior and obvious experience with different breeds and personalities of dog (and stock) and how to adjust the training so the dog can succeed and build confidence.We've been doing obedience training. It told me how the commands are similar and different from the obedience commands we've learned. He seems to have a strong sense of balancing instinct and command, always mindful of the dog. I felt that the book was a handler-directed, dog-centric, work-oriented book. That's was I was hoping for! The author's chapter on trials will help me better understand what I'm seeing when I watch. I especially appreciated his perspective on training the dog/handler team for the work of herding, not just a dog to win trials.

training herding dogs
A well written description of training a herding dog from step one.It includes how to train dogs with different personalities which is very helpful.It focuses on the Border Collie which is the ultimate herding dog and take to herding more naturally than probably any other dog.It may take longer to teach another breed of dog which has instinct but if you work at it you will end up with a dog that herds.It is very good at explaining why you do certain things which helps you understand your own dog which is important in training.

A good beginning and a life long aid to training.
I first read this book when my first Aussie was about three months old.Frankly, I did not get it.I think it is difficult for the average person to learn how to work with a herding dog.Vergil Holland has not only put down all of the steps one might need to become successful at this activity, he has a lot of great advice in the book including very useful exercises and as the subtitle suggests, a progressive training method.

However, the reason I did not get it when I first read the book was that the meaning of much of what he says is dependent on having the actual experience of herding.After many years of training stock dogs, I went back and re-read this book.It was very revealing in that I found myself agreeing with almost everything he said about training.I also found it helpful to get a clear picture of exactly what I wanted to do in a training session to read the portion of the book-- usually fewer than two pages at a time-- that was relevant to what I wanted to acheive in the session.So for me, this has become a valuable hands on training tool.

I still recommend it to beginners and I think it would really help anyone getting ready for their first exposure to stock to have read the preliminary sections on getting started and basic commands.It would help the beginner become familiar with common training techniques and concepts so that a clinic experience would be more valuable than going in without the insights that are offered in this book.

But this is not just a book for beginners.It can be useful at several levels.For the more experienced trainer/handler, the troubleshooting section provides very useful exercises for solving common problems that are likely to be encountered.

I do think the section on herding breeds is a bit simplistic and in the case of Aussies not really accurate.But I think it is only there as a summary of what one might expect from herding breeds and therefore does not take into account the variance of different lines within a breed.I would not recommend the traits listed in this chapter to select your dog.However it does contain some very good advice such as basing your decision in part on the parents' abilities and characteristics.

The diagrams could be improved as was mentioned elsewhere, but they are accurate.The pictures are not very clear and they could be improved to actually demonstrate better the points they are intended to make.

Overall I give this book high marks and recommend it to anyone who is building up a stockdog library.But remember that there is a lot more information in this book than there appears to be at first reading.Go back to it often as your skills develop to really get the full potential of the book which really does offer a progressive training method.

I'm a Total Novice Herder with a Total Novice Dog
I have always had an interest in herding dogs and have owned them and been around them most of my life; however I have never known anyone that had any real knowledge of training for herding, or had a dog that was trained for that matter. This book is fantastic for a total novice. It takes you carefully and "progressively" into the world of herding and explains everything from the very beginning, including the somewhat confusing language that is used to communicate with the dog while the two of you are at work. Thank you Mr. Holland! ... Read more

Product Description
LATG Training Manual Laboratory Animal Technologist American Association for Laboratory Animal Science AALAS CD-ROM included ... Read more

Product Description
Demonstrates how to train a puppy by comparisons with how keepers train wild animals in captivity. ... Read more

Product Description
Shows how to train a kitten by drawing comparisons with the ways in which keepers train wild animals in captivity. ... Read more

Product Description
Whether you have a puppy who is first learning, or an adult dog with ongoing confusion, this book will teach you everything from the basics of housebreaking to more in-depth problem solving. You will learn how to teach your dog not to have any accidents indoors, and to use a designated bathroom area outdoors. Learn all about crate training, scheduling, how to handle it when there is an accident and how to prevent problems before they start. Solve problems such as territorial marking, accidents in a certain area, witholding, refusal to go out in inclement weather and much more. Special sections for rescued dogs, moving to a new home, for apartment dwellers, homeowners and every lifestyle. Sample schedules provided for those who work outside the home, those home all day and everyone in-between. A must-read for every dog or puppy owner! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (23)

Just What I Needed!
It had been ten years since we got a new puppy, so I felt a bit rusty on what the little guy would need when he came to join us. I was especially concerned with the house-training aspect. This book was exactly what I needed. The chapters were clearly written, yet short enough that I could remember the key points. The technique has worked quite well. I would (and have) recommend this book to anyone getting a new puppy or is having some housetraining issues with an older dog.

Nothing groundbreaking
If you don't plan to crate your pet, this book is not of any real use.

Only book I used to housetrain my puppy
This book was so helpful when housetraining my Puggle puppy one year ago. He only made 3 mistakes in the house, all of which I caught him in the act. I followed the instructions and it really worked. He was housebroken completely within a few months. Its all about consistency.

Don't bother buying book if you want Indoor Trained Pooch
I really wanted to give this book zero stars.I'm planning on returning this book.The description is totally misleading because it is so totally negative about anyone even thinking about toilet training a dog to go indoors instead of being walked outside.The book is totally unforgiving about ANY reason what so ever you may have, without exception, in regards to having your dog or puppy relieve him/her-self indoors.It basically states that if you cannot take your dog outdoors, then don't bother getting a dog and get a cat instead.If everyone went by this book, I think there would be alot of poor dogs without homes that now live in apts, handicapped owners, working owners.I'm going to litter train my dog, without any help from this book!

If you work during the day, pick a different book
I just recently got a Puggle and wanted some advice on house training.The author was very rude about owners who work.I am out of the house most of the day at work.The author believes that if you are out of the house for the entire day then you should just get a cat.Apparently working "Mom's" don't have the right to have a dog.I didn't even read past that part and I wish I could have returned the book.Most people don't have the luxury of staying home all day.The author should recognize that rescuing a dog and having it in a nice cage with toys and a fluffy blanket is better than sitting in a cold, empty, cement cage at the pound.I suggest picking a different book where the author is not as judgmental. ... Read more

Product Description
This book includes useful facts and information on Pet Pigs including:- Keeping pet pigs in the house- Housebreaking pigs- Keeping pet pigs in the yard - rooting and gardening- Veterinary Care, vaccination and health care- Feeding, Nutrition, Dieting- Training - walking on a leashThis book was originally published in 1989. It went out of publication in about 2001. Now the book is back in print so that you can benefit from the wealth of information it contains. All the information on training and housing Pot-Bellied pigs is still factual and "in date." The feeding and vaccination information may have incorrect product numbers - but the generic information is still correct. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Pot-Bellied Pigs
I did not realize it was an old edition, I would have purchased a more recent version

If you own a pig, you should have this book
This book is perfect for the potbellied pig owner.It is sufficiently detailed, yet not so technical as to make it unreadable by a lay person.

Despite the rather silly (but amusing) cover, it is a serious and useful book.It is well-written and the authors go out of their way to make it useful to the non-veterinary person.

The book is not a 1000 page tome of everything you would need to know to get a DVM degree with a specialization in potbellies; instead, it focuses on the medical issues that the PBP owner reallly needs to know - the "gotchas", so to speak.

If you have a pig at home (or are looking to get a pig), you should have this book.

If your vet isn't a pig specialist, RUN, don't walk to your keyboard and order this book.Oh wait, if you're reading this, you're already AT your keyboard.So just order it.That, and if you're a new owner, find a good book on pig behavior and psychology.

My Review of Pot Bellied Pigs: Mini Pig Care and training
Wow!This book helped me so much with the care of my guinea pig! I would recommend it to anyone with a guinea pig or to anyone who is thinking of buying a guinea pig. It's a great book with tons of information! ... Read more

Product Description
Because it was originally bred as a fighting dog, todayÂ's typical American Pit Bull Terrier requires special training and handling by its owner. Canine expert Joe Stahlkuppe advises that not every Pit Bull is right for every home. This breed adapts best to homes where the dog owners maintain a structured lifestyle and regular habits. Although Pit Bulls typically form strong bonds with their owners, they are often aggressive toward other dogs, and sometimes hostile toward human beings they donÂ't know. Stahlkuppe asserts that preventing aggression and fighting becomes a matter of limiting opportunity. He points out many ways and methods for limiting that opportunity, and goes on to offer a wealth of details for training and maintaining a happy, healthy, and friendly American Pit Bull Terrier. Color photos throughout. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Okay - not great
The writer makes an excellent case for adoption of shelter dogs but insists that a potential Pit owner be aware of the breeding history of the dog.Not too many shelter dogs come with their pedigree in tow.

waste of money
I guess I was mistakenly expecting the book to impart some great wisdom upon me or something, but 90 percent of it is about the history of pitbulls, where they came from, and the bad image they have received. there's a partial chapter about actual dog training, which basically just says that repitition is the key to success...kinda already knew that...so it was a complete waste of money, I let my kids take scissors to the book and they made a poster with the pictures that were in it, since that was the best part of the entire thing anyways.

Training your pitbull
Excellent item... however it does not state what is the best age to start your training. So far i think i havea good buy

A real guide
I bought this book AFTER I got a pitbull. The book even teaches you how to choose a pitbull, so a small part of it was not useful for me. I didn't finish it yet, I bought it recently, but I must say I already learned a lot from it. Stuff normal people told me to do, were not allowed. Like putting my dog with its nose in its "dirt" if he does it on the carpet, or playing tug of war with it. Well, A LOT! I truly recommend it.

excellent Book
I was able to follow the instructions for the training in this book step by step. I have been training my dogs in a more old fashion way. But my dogs and I seem to enjoy the fun and results. I have 5 Pit bulls they learn quickly already had the Basics down, but now im getting into the cool tricks and the dogs get a treat now I didn't give one before. I rate this book 4 out of 5 its a must read. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

The "Must have" guide for clicker trainers
I bought this book because I wanted to learn all about clicker training, from teaching the behavior all the way thru to getting reliable responses without the use of food.This book did exactly that!This is my dog training manual.It covers all aspects of clicker training in very easy to comprehend way.Perfect combination of humorous stories and training tips.I can go to this book whenever I have a problem and find the answer.A must have book for anyone that wants to be a "Real" clicker trainer.

How Much is the Dog Going to Think if You Bribe Him with Treats Left and Right?
Any moron can bribe a dog with treats constantly and call it dog training. Your dog should listen because you said so. He needs to respond because of your love, technique and proper knowledge, not hot dogs, cheese, beggin strips or salami. Where is your common sense you guys?

Also, it's best to use treats for obedience competitions or if you are dealing with an extremely fearful dog. Is that really you?!?! Is your dog that afraid of you that the minute he sees you, he pees himself or is nowhere to be found? I seriously doubt it.

Again, you can bribe your dog yourself. You don't need to read this book or even work with some cookie trainer. Here's how I will make you think twice. Would you call this method practical, smart or even natural?

Reality Check: Give your dog treats, but at the very "end" of your training sessions and once in a while. If your dog sees or even smells the treats in your hands, sorry, you are relying on treats instead of your bond, love and your leadership. If you honestly think that dogs love to please, you wouldn't need to use a milk bone every single time.

Face it. It doesn't take much skill or talent to give a dog treats for everything. We didn't teach our kids this way. Did you learn your ABC's with Twinkies and Kit Kats? I hope not.

Conclusion: This positive reinforcement got me negative outcome. A fat dog with explosive diarrhea that licks his mouth and looks in my hand every time I ask him to sit. Kudos to the author.

The Thinking Trainer
This book is for the "thinking trainer".It is right up there with Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson, and Don't Shoot the Dog by Karen Pryor.If you are looking for a book that will provide in-depth, well illustrated, cross-referenced information on the thinking behind the training, you'll love the book.Read it, digest it and read it again.Its pages are destined to become well-worn and marked up.Like others who have reviewed this book, I wish I had gotten my hands on it sooner.However, if you are looking for a recipe book that takes you step-by-step through training sequences, don't bother.There are plenty of "recipe" training books out there.This isn't one of them.

Love training dogs? Buy this book!
This is the perfect book for anyone thinking of crossing over in methods AND for those who want to know even more about the principles of clicker training. The author is a former traditional trainer who I think is the perfect voice of how and why to cross over to positive training for all dogs. (And she also believes positive does not equal permissive and includes a section on the proper use of punishment.) I have been using lure/reward and verbal marker training for 10 years now and this book has already helped me be even clearer in my communication with dogs during training. I think everyone who trains dogs should read this book. It will improve training skills regardless of methods because there is alot of fabulous information relating to timing of rewards that I think will be useful to all dogs and their trainers. I really loved this book for it's ease of understanding and I think people will also find the history of dog training section very interesting. If you only buy one book for your training library this year I highly recommend this one. My only warning would be to buy this in solid book form and not the Kindle version. I had a very hard time seeing the font (even when enlarged) of the journal entries while reading it on my Kindle. Happy training! Marie in Maine

I loved this book
There is indeed a lot of discussion on how dogs learn, but if you don't understand this then you will notunderstand clicker training.
She does a nice job of explaining the concept of clicker training. She does not give formulas such as if you do this or that your dog will sit, what she does do is teach you how to be a thinking and observant teacher. She also discusses the pros and cons of various kinds of training. I think this is a must read for all dog owners.
... Read more

Product Description
Ferrets have become increasingly popular as pets in recent years, and although many books about ferrets are now available, this revised and updated guide is unique in that it specifically concentrates on training methods. Furry, cuddly, and bursting with energy, lovable ferrets can be a handful for inexperienced owners. The authors instruct on training methods that really work, pointing out that effective training can start anytime, whether owners adopt an adult ferret or purchase a baby as a kit. They offer tips on protecting the ferret from household hazards, as well as protecting carpets and houseplants from a ferretÂ's tendency to claw and dig. They also provide helpful information on housing, equipment, feeding, health care, and more. New in this edition is a chapter on clicker training, a humane and effective way to solve ferret behavior problems. Also new is information on training special needs petsÂ--hearing-impaired and sight-impaired animals. Filled with color photos. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Very good training book!
I loved this training guide! I loved the tips, handling instructions, and reward hints the author wrote about! This is a must have for every ferret owner!

Okay, but not for every ferret
My ferrets are either too smart or too stupid to be trained.The pictures were cute, but I couldn't find anything in it that I didn't already know from Ferrets for Dummies or Modern Ferret magazine.I read it once and gave it to the local humane society's library.

Some good info in there..
This isn't the best book out there for ferret information, but it does have some interesting tidbits in it and a bunch of cute pictures.I haven't been able to successfully use many of the methods talked about in the book with my ferrets, but it's possible they work for someone else.Every ferret is different!I give it four stars because some of the information is good, and the pictures are adorable.For the price, I can't complain. :)

Trite, affectatious waste of ink
Do authors needing to start every thought with inane questions make you giggle more than thorazine? Do you have have commercial grade insulin handy for inoculations after every annacdote {which is on par with Elvis sightings?). Then this book is for you.
Having raised seven and now that my girlfriend has added eight and nine ferrets I feel I a qualified to comment on the usefulness of this book - nil. We added this book to qualify for free shipping while ordering Ferrets for Dummies - a much better buy. {loads of valuable info}
Read Ferrets for Dummies and if you have a bird line the bird cage with with Ms. Somerville's exercise in ferret dreaming.

One of the Best
Training Your Pet Ferret is the only book I have read that really does go in depth about how to train your ferret. It is filled with useful tips and advice on how to raise a better pet. Each page in the book has informationthat you can use. I have used many of the tips in this book and they allhave seemed to work out perfectly for me. I am very satisifed with thisbook. As it says in the authors note, this is not a general care guide.This is a training guide. The only thing that I thought was bad about thisbook is the ferret pictures. The ferrets pictured in this book always looksad and unhappy. That is the only drawback, other than that, this is aperfect book for a new ferret owner or a ferret owner that has ownedferrets for many years. ... Read more